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Home My WebLink AboutPSD-003-13 Clarington PLANNING 1 Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: January 7, 2013 Resolution#: ° 0 -t By-law #: N/A Report#: PSD-003-13 File #: PLN 17.1.6 Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP 2012 PROGRAM UPDATE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-003-13 be received; and 2. THAT any interested parties listed in Report PSD-003-13 be notified of Council's decision. Submitted by: Reviewed by: DaKid YCrome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu Director, Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer FL/DJC/sn 14 December 2012 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T(905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-003-13 PAGE 2 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 Since 2002, Council has been providing annual funding for an ongoing stewardship programme. The environmental stewardship programme was established to encourage private groups to carry out works that improve municipal lands, such as valleylands and other natural areas. 1.2 Initial uptake of stewardship funds were limited, it took time to build awareness that funding was available for stewardship projects on municipal properties. Staff direct private stewardship initiatives to the applicable conservation authority, Durham Land Stewardship Council (for Ministry of Natural Resources properties) and other programmes. 1.3 The purpose of this report is to inform Council of how the funds have been spent. Any funds remaining in the Stewardship account (carried over from previous years) are used to assist in promoting the program for the next year. 2. GRANTS 2.1 General Guidelines When approving projects for funding, Staff have been careful to only fund projects that are on municipally owned properties, have in-kind contributions (labour and/or materials) and meet the overall concept plan for the area. Planning Services Staff work closely with Engineering and Operations Staff to ensure that the project is in the best interests of the municipality. In the case of the Trees for Rural Roads, the plantings are on private property but must be adjacent to the road. 2.2 Prior Years Works Attachment 1 provides Council with the detail of what works have been carried out in prior years. 2.3 2012 Work Council received a report on September 12, 2011 (PSD-074-11) outlining the Trees for Rural Road (TRR) initiative being promoted jointly by the Municipality and Conservation Authorities. The TRR purpose is to renew the road side plantings in the rural portions of Clarington. The program was announced in articles in the local newspapers, the E-update and website during the fall of 2011. There was an overwhelming response to the program. Many applications were received by the April 15, 2012 due date. Initially it was anticipated that approximately 500 whips (4' to 5' saplings) would be planted throughout Clarington as part of this program; however we exceeded this expectation and over 900 saplings were distributed (see Attachment 2 - Map of the roadways planted). REPORT NO.: PSD-003-13 PAGE 3 During the summer and fall of 2012 a survey of the TRR participants was undertaken to determine a number of items. The feedback received will help improve the program for future years. For the most part participants were very positive about the TRR and its goal, some provided suggestions to improve the pick-up process. There has been some die off of saplings in part due to the warm early spring and the lack of rainfall during the summer, the oaks were particularly susceptible to die off due to these conditions. Most participants indicated that they were pleased with the plant types, planting instructions and survival rate. o � aim'21 _ f 3. CONCURRENCE — Not Applicable 4. CONCLUSION 4.1 There has been good response to the environmental stewardship program in Clarington. Since 2003 over$48,000.00 has been invested in 24 projects; however, the value of the in-kind contributions is more than double that amount. In addition, the net gain for those involved has been an understanding and long- term commitment to the community and environmental stewardship. REPORT NO.: PSD-003-13 PAGE 4 CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN The recommendations contained in this report conform to the general intent of the following priorities of the Strategic Plan: Promoting economic development Maintaining financial stability Connecting Clarington X Promoting green initiatives Investing in infrastructure Showcasing our community Not in conformity with Strategic Plan Staff Contact: Faye Langmaid Attachments: Attachment 1 — Stewardship Projects 2003-2011 Attachment 2 —Trees for Rural Roads Map for 2012 Interested parties to be notified of Council's decision: Patricia Lowe, CLOCA Pam Lancaster, GRCA Attachment 1 To Report PSD-003-13 Previous Stewardship Projects 2003-2011 2011 During 2011 Staff in consultation with GRCA and CLOCA developed a program geared to rural residents for the replacement of the majestic tree-lined corridors along our rural roads. The program purpose and framework were determined, application forms, postcards printed, and web presence developed. In addition press releases were issued to assist in letting members of the community know about the program. A number of newspaper articles on the initiative helped spread the word. Applications for the spring of 2012 were already being received in the fall of 2011 and saplings for the program were reserved at a local nursery. 2010 Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for one week was provided. The Ontario Stewardship Rangers work in teams of five (5) high school students (17 year olds) and a project captain. The MNR Rangers assisted the Valleys 2000 (Frank Lockhart) with the removal of log jams and brush at both Soper Creek and Bowmanville Creek. They worked with our Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Advisory Committee to build woodchip trails, in particular they re-built a wood chip trail on the east side leading to the lake, assisted in spreading woodchips around the kiosk and cleaned vegetation from around the interpretative signs. The Rangers also worked with Rev. Chisling at the Visual Arts Centre doing work on the garden beds including planting, weeding and pruning. 2009 Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for one week. The Ontario Stewardship Rangers work in teams of five (5) high school students (17 year olds) and a project captain. The MNR Rangers assisted the Courtice Lions at the Millennium Trails by clearing the creek of debris and spreading woodchips on the trail. They worked with our Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Advisory Committee to build a new woodchip trail through the east woodlot. They assisted Valleys 2000 with mulching the butterfly garden and tree removal in the Bowmanville Valley. In addition they worked on the removal of Phramagites from wetland areas in the Black/Farewell Creek watershed. These projects were coordinated by the Operations and Engineering Services Departments. Two planting projects were done in Courtice this year. In the spring buffer plantings were undertaken between the Nantucket condos and the Rob Piontek Skate Park. It included native trees and shrubs with an emphasis on coniferous planting. In the late fall native trees and shrubs were planted in the Black Creek valley between the Nantucket condos and Hwy. 2 along the creek. The planting projects have been done by Courtice Secondary School students. The goal of all the planting projects is to increase/restore the diversity of native plants in the Black Creek area. i I 2008 j Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for a week of their time to assist with projects in Clarington. The Operations Department provided on site direction, for the pulling of Phramagites in the Black/Farewell Creek wetland areas for 2 days. The remaining days were under the direction of the Manager of Park Development and included one day at the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area creating woodchip walkways; one day with Rev. Frank Lockhart from Valleys 2000 in the Bowmanville Creek removing dead trees and path trimming/clean up, and one day with Courtice Lions working on stream clean-up and boardwalk construction in the Courtice Millennium trails. 2007 Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for a week of their time to assist with projects in Clarington. The Operations Department provided on site direction, for the pulling of Phramagites in the Black/Farewell Creek wetland areas for 2.days. The remaining days were under the direction of the Manager of Park Development and included one day at the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area creating woodchip walkways; one day with Rev. Frank Lockhart from Valleys 2000 in the Bowmanville creating paths, and one day with Courtice Lions working on stream clean-up and boardwalk construction in the Courtice Millennium trails. Plantings at Wilmot Creek Nature Area in partnership with the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Committee, Engineering Services and the St. Stephen's Catholic High School students. Funding of the lumber for a continuation of the Boardwalk at Courtice Millennium Trail in partnership with Courtice Secondary School students. The students constructed the boardwalk in sections, in shop class, and then assembled it on site. This project was part of a much larger project that included the Courtice Lions Club and a Trillium Grant. 2006 In February of 2006 the Municipality hosted, in partnership with OPG, a workshop for a number of environmental groups with Evergreen. Evergreen is a not-for-profit environmental group that provides advice and funding for environmental projects. The workshop was attended by approximately 25 people representing a number of different groups. The information provided during this workshop was extremely helpful to a number of these groups. The networking opportunities for the groups were also an important aspect of the workshop. Plantings in Soper Creek valley along the pathway from the Visual Arts Centre north in partnership with the Planning Services Department World Town Planning Day event and Bowmanville High School students. Sponsorship of a workshop for municipal staff from throughout the Region of Durham regarding private wells and septic systems and their impact on the environment. The workshop was provided by Dr. Mary Jane Conboy of the Well Wise Centre which opened in Orono early in 2007. The intent of this workshop was to educate municipal staff(building and planning) to ensure consistent messages are provided across the Region to residents on wells and septic systems. j i i Provided funding for the lumber for Boardwalk at Courtice Millennium Trail in partnership with Courtice Secondary School students. The students constructed the boardwalk in sections, in shop class, and then assembled it on site. 2005 Boardwalk behind Courtice Complex in partnership with Courtice Secondary School students. The funding provided the lumber necessary for the project, again the students constructed the boardwalk in sections, in shop class, and then assembled them on site. Plantings in Soper Creek valley along the pathway from the Visual Arts Centre north to Hobbs Avenue, in partnership with Valleys 2000 and Bowmanville High School students who provided the labour. 2004 Creek crossing in Bowmanville Valley in partnership with Valleys 2000 and Courtice Secondary School students. The funding provided the lumber necessary for the project, the students built and installed the crossing. 2003 Plantings in the Bowmanville Valley along the pathway from Spry Avenue north. 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